Page 60 of The Black Wife Blessing

My face warms up. I dart a glance at Henry, who squeezes my hand under the table.

"Some of us at this table understand that journey better than most," Olivia continues, sharing a meaningful look with Leo. "When Leo and I first got together, it wasn't exactly a fairytale beginning either."

Celia laughs, nodding. "And Aston and I certainly didn't follow the traditional path."

"But that's what makes your love story so beautiful," Olivia says, raising her glass higher. "Sometimes the best relationships are the ones that surprise us. The ones that start as something else entirely and transform into something precious when we least expect it."

Henry's thumb traces circles on my palm, and I feel a lump forming in my throat.

"So here's to Monica and Henry," Olivia concludes. "May your marriage be as real and beautiful as the love that grewbetween you. We couldn't be happier to welcome you both into our little family of unexpected happy endings."

"To Monica and Henry!" everyone echoes, glasses clinking around the table.

I take a sip of the rich wine, my eyes meeting Henry's over the rim of my glass. His blue eyes are soft with emotion, and I know he's thinking the same thing I am—how close we came to missing this, how our convenient arrangement transformed into something neither of us saw coming.

"Thank you," I say to Olivia, my voice slightly thick with emotion. "That means more than you know."

We return to our meal, the conversation flowing easily around us. As I savor a bite of the mushroom risotto, I realize I've never felt more at home than I do right now, surrounded by good food and the family we've built together.

40

HENRY

The cheers from our guests surround us as Monica and I stand together, my hand over hers on the knife. The moment feels surreal—this beautiful woman beside me is now my wife. For real. No pretending, no facades, just us and our truth.

"Ready, Mrs. Blackwood?" I whisper against her ear, enjoying how she shivers at the sound of her new name.

"Always, Mr. Blackwood." Her smile could light up the entire reception hall.

We press the knife through the five-tier masterpiece, white fondant giving way to reveal layers of red velvet—Monica's favorite. The crowd erupts in applause as we feed each other the first bite, and I resist the urge to smash it in her face. I'm too fucking happy to risk her wrath today.

Monica's eyes scan the crowd as she chews, her brow furrowing slightly. "Henry, have you seen Celia and Aston? I thought they'd be front and center for this."

I glance around the room, spotting my mother chatting with Leo, Olivia laughing with some of Monica's culinary schoolfriends, but no sign of Celia and Aston. Weird. They were supposed to be here an hour ago.

"They're probably stuck in traffic," I say, squeezing her hand. "You know how the city gets on Saturday afternoons. Construction on every other block."

Monica nods, but I can tell she's disappointed. Celia's been her rock through everything—especially during those final confrontations with Benjamin. And Aston's become like a brother to me since we announced our real engagement.

"Don't worry about it," I add, brushing a crumb from the corner of her mouth. "They'll be here. No way they'd miss this."

"You're right." She leans into me, the soft curves of her body fitting perfectly against mine. "I just want everyone we love to be part of today."

I press my lips to her temple. "They are. Even if they're running late."

I can't take my eyes off Monica as we move through the reception, greeting guests and accepting congratulations. Her smile lights up the entire room, and the way she looks at me—like I'm the only person who matters—makes my chest tighten with emotion.

"You're staring again," she teases, squeezing my hand.

"Can you blame me? Look at you." I pull her closer, breathing in her scent. "Mrs. Blackwood."

She laughs against my chest. "I'm still getting used to that."

We're interrupted by my mother, who swoops in to hug Monica for what must be the twentieth time today. "My beautiful daughter! The ceremony was perfect. Absolute perfection."

While they chat, I scan the room, still wondering about Celia and Aston. That's when I notice Leo across the reception hall, his phone pressed to his ear. His expression shifts from relaxed to concerned in seconds. Something's off.

I watch as he quickly ends the call and makes a beeline for Olivia, who's laughing with a group of guests. He whispers something in her ear, his hand on her lower back, and immediately her smile disappears. They exchange a few words before he guides her away from the crowd, heading toward the exit.

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